Newspaper-easel.



J. MCCHTHY.

NEWSMPER EASEL.

APPUcATloN FILED 1AN.24. 191e.

l ,21 8,790. Patented Man 13, 1917.

rara.

rosEPii Mcciin'riiv, or sroiriinn, WASHINGTON.

NEWSPAPER-EASEL.

Application filed .T anuary 24, 191.6. Serial No. 73,815.

To all whom t may conoem:

Be it known that I, Josnrrr MGCARTHY,

a citizen'of the United States of America,

residing at Spokane, in the county of Spo- 5 kane and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Newspaper-Easels, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention pertains to improvements in newspaper' -easels, and has for one of its principal object-sof the production of a specially Aconstructed device of convenient size and'shape adapted to hold a newspaper or other reading matter while the reader is dining or is otherwise so situated that his hands are 'not free to hold the paper.

A further object is the production of an advertising device,the intent being that advertising matter be'printed or otherwise dis played upon 'the various parts of the easel itself.

Another object ofthe invention is to provideaneasel including a plurality of foldable parts, means being provided for limiting the outward movement of the parts whereby to maintain-thereasel in 'a vrigid and desired position.

With these and other objects in view, the invention 'consists in the construction, coinbination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views of which- Figure 1, represents a. perspective view of an easel constructed according to my invention the same being shown in open and operative position,

Fig. 2, represents a side view of the same,h

Fig. 3, represents a fragmentary view of a. pair of cross-arms entering into the construction, shown in an open position,

Fig. 4, represents a fragmentary rear elevational view of Figs. 1 and 2,

Fig. 5, represents a fragmentary view of one of the cross-arms,

Fig. 6, represents a fragmentary view of the other of the cross-arms,

Fig. 7 represents a side view of the upper wing of a hinge used in connecting the parts,

Fig. 8, represents an end view of the same,

Fig. 9, represents a face view of a button into'which is turned a bolt to hold the crossarms and a support in relative position to each other,

Fig. 10, Iis a sectional view of the saine showing the bolt in position therein,

Fig. 11, is a rear view of the said button l with the bolt removed, and

Figs. 12 and 13 each represent a fragmentary view of one of the cross-bars, showing a modified form of opening therein.

In a detail description of the deviceythe easel comprises a pair of cross-bars 12 and 13 respectively and a support 14. A stud 15 is provided by means of which the parts are connected, and in such-a manner that the cross-bars and support may be folded together, or may be `opened into the position shown in Figs. 1 yand 2. The lower end of the cross-bai' 12 is bent upwardly as at 1G to provide an arm 17 disposed in spaced relation to the bar. rlhe lower end of the crossbar 13 is bent upwardly as indicated at 1S and there ends 17 and 18 co-act to maintain the `newspaper or other reading matter proper position. Y

The particular function of the upwardly extending arm 17 is to -hold a newspaper or other .piece of reading matter back against the cross-bars in such a manner las to prevent the newspaper from bulging upwardly and outwardly and falling away from the easel. A hinge memberV `19 is rotatably 5mounted at the top of the support 14 upon a transversely arranged pin 20 as shown in Fig. 4. At the top of the hinge member 19 is a projecting member having a portion 21 and a portion 22.

The cross-bar 12 is provided with a circular opening 23 and a curved slot 24 disposed in spaced relation above the same and the cross-bar 13 is provided with a circular opening 25 and a curved slot 26 disposed in spaced relation above the same. Centrally disposed in the hinge member 19 is an. opening 27. In the assembling of the parts, the stud 15 is passed through the openings 23, 25 and 27 and the portions 21 and 22 through the slots 24 and 26, the portion 21 having a bearing within the slots 24 and 26 and the portion 22 having a bearing on the face of the cross-bar 13 and serving to hold the parts in more uniform contact with each other.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3, 5 and 6, it will be observed that the slots 24 and 26 in the cross-bars 12 and 13 respectively are oppositely disposed in their spaced relation above the circular openings 23 and 25 respectively to a position above and to one side of the said circular openings. This arrange- Speccation of Letters Patent. Patented 'Dial'. 13,A 1917.

ment of the said slots has the eiect, when the parts are assembled, of leaving an open space 28 (Fig. 3) of the approximate Width of the portion 21 of the hinge member 19, so that there can be no side play to the support 14, thus adding to the stability of the device when in an open position and ready for use and adding to the convenience of handling the article when in a folded position.

The slots above the circular openings 23 and 25 may be spaced and extended an equal distance sidewise of the openings 23 and 25 as shown at 29 and 30 respectively in Figs. 12 and 13, but in such case the support let is left free to lateral movement except when placed upon a table or other support.

I have shown the stud 15 With a threaded end 31 turned into a threaded aperture 32 in a cap or button 33 as a convenient means for retaining the stud in a permanent position While holding the parts 12, 13 and let in assembled relation, the cap 33 being adapted for position on the face of the bar 13 as shown in Fig. 1 and serving as a covering for the slots 24; and 26 and for the portions 21 and 22.

The easel may be formed of burnished sheet metal, tin, Celluloid, ivory, Wood or other suitable material.

Although I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I may desire to make such changes in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts thereof as do not depart from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

The cross-bars and supports are preferably ormed of substantially flat strips of material. Advertising matter, if so desired, may be printed or otherwise displayed upon these parts.

Vhat is claimed is,

1. An easel comprising tWo bars and a support and means for joining them and permitting their opening in one direction only, said means comprising a pivotal connection of the bars and a member hinged to and above the support, oppositely disposed curved slotsin the bars spaced above the pivotal connection and a portion extending from said member hinged to the support, into and through said slots.

2. An easel comprising two bars and -aV support and means for joining them and permitting their opening in one direction only, said means comprising a pivotal connection of the bars and a member hinged to and above the support, oppositely disposed curved slots in the bars spaced above the pivotal connection and a portion extending from said member hinged to the support, into and through said slots, and a portion at right angles thereto bearing on the face of the outer bar for holding the parts in more uniform contact With each other.

In testimony whereof I aliX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH MoCARTI-IY.

Witnesses:

EDITH ABRAHAM, LESTER P. EDGE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for :tive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C." 

